led, joined 8th, soon ridden, mistake and headed 3 out, weakened before next
always in rear, lost touch 8th
chased leader, joined leader 8th, ridden next, driven 2 out, 2 lengths down when blundered last, kept on
held up in touch, went 3rd 8th, led 3 out, clear next, stayed on flat
close up when mistake 6th and fell
Roger Curtis has his runners in good shape and KINGHAM is probably capable of defying a penalty to win this, while Divine Gift and Black Beauty look the most serious dangers. The selection was a very comfortable scorer on his Catterick chasing debut before just failing to defy a hike up in the weights in a handicap chase at Uttoxeter, when the gluepot surface would not have been ideal for giving weight away. It is not a bad as that today, and should be right up the street of the nine-year-old. He jumps well for a novice and back in this sphere he can get his head back in front. Divine Gift will relish conditions and a reproduction of either of his recent efforts would see him take a hand again today. He does not have much to find with the selection if BHA ratings are any idea and the same can be said of Black Beauty. The Quinlan yard are going well and conditions and trip suit this gelding, who should benefit from a previous run and the tutelage here of A P McCoy. Peak Seasons and Russian Invader will both probably have to wait for other days and Kingham gets the vote.
Kingham 7-4fav (9-11) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led approaching 3 out, headed narrowly 2 out, still upsides last, no extra flat, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Tidal Fury (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs (2) hvy.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 200-1 (11-1) Chased leaders to 4th, soon behind, tailed off, last of 6, 43l behind Pasco (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) gs.
Black Beauty 14-1 (10-7) Chased leading pair, hit 3rd and next, struggling when left 2nd 7th, no chance from 3 out, 2nd of 3, well behind Heathcote (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov chs (3) hvy.
Divine Gift 13-2 (11-0) Held up, stayed on from 3 out, went poor 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Gauvain (11-0) at Lingfield 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Russian Invader (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 11th of 13, 28l behind King Gabriel (10-5) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
